I played around with Google's NotebookLM to create a podcast about psychopaths created from a variety of websites and YouTube videos that I'd linked to as source material. See Figure 1.
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Figure 1 |
Click on this Link to listen to the podcast which is 22 minutes long. It can be downloaded as a 60MB wave file. The site also creates a Study Guide, FAQ, A Briefing Doc and a Timeline. I gathered the source material rather hurriedly and obviously the more time spent in gathering the sources the better. Of course, AI could be used to help in this regard. Overall this was a fun exercise and I'm sure that I'll experiment with NotebookLM further.
ADDENDUM: Another podcast etc. was created for me on the theme of Chess Champions. I used Gemini Deep Research to gather the sources and this was the result (link).
Having acquired a Macbook Air M1 for my birthday, I set about getting Astrolog to run on it under Wine. I succeeded under Linux but it's proving frustrating using the Macintosh operating system running on the newer non-Intel chip. I've had Astrolog running quite happily on my 2013 Macbook Pro when the Mac OS was installed. The error message when trying to get WINE to run the astrolog.exe mentions "bad CPU type" so the newer CPU seems to be the problem.
There is a Macintosh version but it only seems to work in the terminal and produces output as shown in Figure 1. As the documentation says:
The main difference from the Windows version is that it does not offer a Graphical User Interface, and so you will not find a mouse-driven menu system or dialog interface. However, it offers just about everything else. You can even draw temporary squiggles/annotations with your mouse ona chart displayed in X11.
This is clearly of limited use and takes me back to the bad old days of the late 1980s using MS-DOS on a 286 PC.
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Figure 1 |
I have installed WINE on my Macbook Air but it will not run astrolog.exe. I keep getting an error message. Here is what it says. If you can understand it, you're a better man than me (I then copied the entire error message).
The error message you provided indicates an issue with running astrolog.exe using Wine on your Apple Macbook Air with M1 chip. Here's a breakdown of the error and potential solutions:Understanding the Error:
"Bad CPU type in executable": This is the core issue. Wine expects a program compiled for a specific CPU architecture (likely x86 for traditional computers). However, your Macbook Air uses an M1 chip with ARM architecture, which is different. Astrolog.exe is likely compiled for x86 and incompatible with your Mac's CPU.Why Wine Doesn't Work with M1 Macs (for now):Wine typically translates instructions from Windows programs to work on the underlying system's architecture. However, M1 chips are a significant departure from Intel x86 architecture, and full compatibility with Wine is still under development.Possible Solutions (Limited)There are unfortunately no guaranteed solutions to run astrolog.exe directly on your M1 Mac with Wine at this time. Here are some possibilities to consider, but keep in mind their limitations:Alternative Software: Explore if there are alternative astrology software programs that are native to macOS or have web-based versions.Crossover (Paid Software): Crossover is a commercial alternative to Wine that attempts to run Windows applications on macOS. It might have better compatibility with M1 Macs than the free Wine version, but there's no guarantee it will work with astrolog.exe specifically.Virtualization with Windows on ARM (Experimental): There are ongoing efforts to run Windows on ARM processors through virtualization. While Microsoft does offer a limited preview of Windows 11 for ARM on compatible devices, it's still in development and might not be suitable for everyday use yet.Recommendation:Since Wine isn't a reliable option for astrolog.exe on your M1 Mac at this point, investigating alternative software or waiting for potential future compatibility improvements in Wine or virtualization solutions might be the best course of action.
Of course, there's paid astrology software for the Mac but I've gotten used to using Astrolog for free over many years and it does all I need it to do.
While my vocabulary is fairly extensive, there's always room for improvement. I discovered that when trying my hand at a Merriam-Webster quiz where I flunked demurred and epistolary. In my defense, I should say that I was distracted by the real answer: composed of letters. I took this to mean letters of the alphabet and dismissed it. See Figure 1.
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Figure 1 |
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Figure 2 |
I ended up with 18/20 which was disappointing given that the words in the quiz were not uncommon or difficult. It prompted to consider that I should spend a little more time undertaking quizzes like this. I like played Wordle each day but that's often the only verbal challenge that confronts me on any given day. I need more challenges to keep me sharp.
Here is what Google's Bard had to say about the word "demur", not to confused with "demure":
"Demur" certainly packs a punch with its subtle shades of meaning! Here's a dive into its origin and usage:
Origin:
"Demur" comes from the Old French "demeurer," meaning "to remain, stay, linger."
It entered Middle English around the 14th century as "demeure," evolving into "demur" by the 16th century.
Meanings:
Verb:
To object; disagree with something, often mildly or hesitantly. (e.g., "I demurred at his suggestion to hike in the rain.")
To hesitate; delay or show reluctance. (e.g., "She demurred before accepting the award.")
(Archaic) To linger; stay or remain. (e.g., "They demurred at the inn for a few days.")
Noun:
An objection; a statement of disagreement. (e.g., "The judge overruled his demur to the evidence.")
Hesitation; reluctance to act. (e.g., "After much demur, she finally made a decision.")
Common Usage:
"Demur" often appears in formal contexts, such as legal documents, speeches, and academic writing.
It can also be used in everyday conversations, but adds a nuanced air of caution, hesitation, or polite disagreement.
Here are some common examples of its usage:
- "The council demurred at the proposed development plan, citing concerns about traffic congestion."
- "He raised a demur when asked to testify, claiming lack of preparation."
- "After some demur, she agreed to join the project, albeit with reservations."
- "I couldn't help but demur at the price, finding it a bit steep."
Remember, "demur" is a powerful word that conveys more than just simple disagreement. It implies a thoughtful reservation, a cautious pause before voicing an opinion, or a subtle resistance to an idea. Use it wisely to add depth and nuance to your communication!
The very similar word "demure" has the same origins as "demur" but has come to mean something different. Here is what Bard had to say about it.
What is the meaning of the word "demure"? What are its origins and what are some examples of its usage?
Ah, "demure"! It's a word that exudes an aura of quiet modesty and reserved charm. Let's explore its intricacies:
Meaning:
Adjective:
Characterized by shyness, modesty, and reserve.
Conveying an impression of quiet dignity and propriety.
Sometimes indicating a hint of coy playfulness or affected humility.
Noun:
(Rare) A demure person.
Origins:
"Demure" originates from the French word "demeurer," meaning "to remain, stay, linger."
It arrived in Middle English around the 14th century as "demeure," transforming into "demur" by the 16th century.
Over time, "demur" shifted from indicating hesitation or objection to describing a specific personality trait.
Usage:
"Demure" typically describes a person's demeanor, dress, or behavior.
It often evokes images of soft-spoken individuals, elegant attire, and gentle gestures.
Here are some examples of its usage:
- "She wore a demure lavender dress, her eyes downcast and a slight blush on her cheeks."
- "He spoke in a demure tone, avoiding eye contact and fidgeting with his hands."
- "Their demure courtship unfolded with stolen glances and whispered conversations."
- "Despite her demure facade, a mischievous glint sparkled in her eyes."
Additional notes:
"Demure" can sometimes have a slightly negative connotation, implying timidity or a lack of assertiveness.
Be mindful of the context and tone when using the word to avoid unintended offense.
"Demure" is a versatile adjective that adds a touch of elegance and subtlety to your writing and descriptions.
I hope this exploration of "demure" inspires you to use it judiciously and appreciate its captivating nuances! Feel free to ask if you have any further questions about its usage or history.
The Chromium browser is fast and responsive on the Raspberry Pi. However, it cannot deal with my Google identity which is odd considering that it the base on which the Chrome browser is built. I have subscribed to YouTube Premium and, while I can log into YouTube and YouTube Music, the advertisements still play and my identity is quickly forgotten as I navigate about. Gmail can be accessed briefly until it drops out and I'm asked to confirm my identity yet again.
Other websites are accessed without difficulty but the browser seems incapable of handling my Google credentials. I was so frustrated that I downloaded an alternative browser called Vivaldi. However, I quickly uninstalled it because it was painfully slow in accessing websites or simply timed out. Attempts to install Chrome failed and that's probably a good thing as this browser is resource intensive and would probably end up performing like Vivaldi given that I only have 4GB of RAM. It looks like I'm stuck with the Chromium browser.
There's surprisingly little help online regarding my problem but I've only just begun looking so something may show up ... and just after writing this something did show up! Figure 1 shows the crucial setting.
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| Figure 1 |
Under "Other Google services", there is the toggle "Allow Chromium sign-in" with the comment that "By turning this off, you can sign into Google sites like Gmail without signing into Chromium". The toggle is turned OFF now but it was ON by default and that was the source of all my troubles. Chromium is now behaving a Chrome does allowing me to access Gmail, YouTube, YouTube Music etc. without any problems. It was a huge relief to overcome this nagging problem.
I'm experimenting with Chrome OS Flex on my 2013 Mac Book Pro having booted it off a USB drive. The operating system has been heavily touted lately as a way of breathing new life into old computers by replacing resource-hungry operating systems like Windows and Mac OS with a light-weight alternative.
While my Mac Book still works fine, it does labour when using web-based applications like Airtable. The fan starts up and the laptop starts to get quite hot. That's why I thought I'd give Chrome OS Flex a workout. If I like it, I can install it permanently on my laptop, replacing the Mac OS Sierra that's currently on it. Most of my work I do is done in the Chrome browser and most the apps I use are Google-based.
It's early days yet and problems are bound to arise. I've already found the trackpad rather sluggish and have resorted to using a mouse again. Whether this will remain a problem or resolve itself after a proper installation, I don't know. Another problem that has arisen involves the use of Command + Shift + F4 that I regularly use to capture part of the screen. That keyboard combination doesn't work anymore.
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Figure 1: source |
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| Figure 2 |
